The temperature continues to swing as spring gradually unfolds. The canopy is noticeably greener.
Around town and in the parks, trees are in bloom.
Cherry and serviceberry in Harris Park and magnolia at Eldon House .
The Coves Environmentally Significant Area
The day was sunny, perfect for a visit to the Coves.
We found this handsome Great Blue Heron wading in a watery ditch.
The paths along the east pond are lined with Wild Garlic. Foraging in nature reserves is not permitted.
Canada Geese populate the ponds, as do Midland Painted Turtles and Red-eared Sliders. Red-eared Sliders are native to the Mississippi River waterways. They have become invasive in Canada, at least in part because they are sold as pets that are then released as they grow too large.
Below, a Red-eared Slider shares the log with a Painted Turtle (on the right) and a Canada Goose. A female Wood Duck is passing along the shore behind them.
One goose was lining its nest with feathers plucked from its body.
A Redbud tree in bud.
American Golden Saxifrage and Swamp Dock growing in shallow water.
A vernal pond farther inland was full of life. Vernal ponds are described as temporary wetlands found in forests that often dry up in the summer. These provide critical breeding sites for frogs and salamanders because the ponds do not support a fish population (predators of frog and salamander eggs and young).
Keeping their distance at the back of the pond was a pair of Wood Ducks.
We saw our first goslings of the season, accompanied by their parents.
There was much bird activity in this area.
A Song Sparrow sang from a snag. A female Brown-headed Cowbird sculked in the undergrowth, prospecting for other birds’ nests in which to lay her eggs.
A Common Grackle repeatedly dove at an American Crow and eventually drove it away. We also saw our first female Red-winged Blackbird of the season.
These two Northern Cardinals were snacking on the blossoms of a Norway Maple tree.
An Eastern Gray Squirrel and White-throated Sparrows foraged on the ground, as did a lone Field Sparrow (note the pink bill, eye-ring and rusty cap) and an American Robin.
Tulips…
…from Wandering Bee.
Recent Clark Family Videos
Every so often I view the growth of the kids as musicians.
